text string: "91E10" in csv file auto converts to: "9.10E+11"

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alex
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A

Alex

91E10, and similar, are Military PMOS codes (job codes). When the comma
delimited csv file is read in, Excel automatically converts any string
containing "E" into what appears to be exponential notation. In the csv file
the string is delimited as ,"91E10", between other data fields. The file is
opened by clicking on the csv file without Excel running, after which Excel's
file association type loads the csv file in, during which it converts all
strings containing a capital "E". How do I disable this undocumented feature?
 
Don't open the CSV file that way (nor by using File / Open from within
Excel).

From within Excel, use Data/ Import External Data/ Import Data.
In the text import wizard, specify the relevant column as Text if you don't
want Excel to reformat them.

Another option is to rename the file from .CSV to .TXT, and that will enable
the text import wizard when you try to open the file with Excel.
 
You could try importing the data via:
Data|get external data

And you'd be able to specify the type for each field--use text for these.

Or you could rename the .csv file to .txt
then use File|Open to open the .txt file.

Then you would see that same wizard.
 
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